Cases reach highest level since December

State tops 5K new infections on Thursday

New daily coronavirus cases in Michigan soared to 5,224 Thursday, the highest daily level since Dec. 8, and 49 more people have died from the deadly virus.

The 49 new deaths announced include 30 found after a state review of vital records. In all, the state has had 642,869 confirmed cases and 15,984 deaths since the pandemic began more than a year ago.

Daily case counts have been trending higher since the middle of last month, along with positive test results for the virus and amid a steadily climbing vaccination rate to combat the virus.

Spiking case counts are particularly noticeable in southeast Michigan, which is seeing ever increasing daily numbers.

There were 754 new cases and four deaths in Macomb County announced Thursday, 735 cases and one death in Oakland County, 688 cases and eight deaths in Wayne County, and 261 cases and one death in Detroit.

Other counties are also showing higher daily counts. There were 224 cases and two deaths in Genesee County, 210 cases and six deaths in Kent County, 157 cases and three

deaths in Ingham County, 154 cases and three deaths in St. Clair County, and 59 cases and one death in Monroe County.

There were also slight spikes in less populated areas of the state, including 10 cases in Clare County, 14 cases and one death in Gratiot County, and 10 cases and one death in Isabella County.

Just four of Michigan’s 83 counties reported no new cases or deaths.

Diagnostic tests are also showing higher rates. Positive tests have climbed

from a 3.97% positive testing rate to 9.83% on March 24, even as more people acquire vaccinations.

The state health department estimates health providers have completely vaccinated 30.3% of the population age 16 and older, or 2,454,414 people. The goal is to reach 70%.